Waste Management and Remediation

DEQ's Waste Management and Remediation Division is responsible for monitoring and controlling the generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of wastes in Idaho. The waste management group focuses on ensuring that wastes generated in or entering Idaho are managed and disposed in a manner protective of human health and the environment. On the remediation side, program resources are directed to responding to releases of hazardous substances to surface waters, ground water, or soils.

State Primacy

EPA encourages states to implement their own waste management programs and receive primacy over waste issues. To receive state primacy, states must develop statutes and regulations that are at least as stringent as the federal acts and regulations. Idaho has adopted statutes and rules governing management of certain aspects of hazardous and solid waste and underground storage tanks.

DEQ is the state agency delegated responsibility by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement RCRA in Idaho. With only a few exceptions, Idaho has incorporated RCRA by reference into the state's Rules and Standards for Hazardous Waste (IDAPA 58.01.05).

Hazardous Waste in Idaho

Hazardous waste has properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be by-products of manufacturing processes or simply discarded commercial products. By law, facilities that generate waste must determine if any of their wastes are hazardous and, if so, manage and dispose of them properly. Learn more.

Solid Waste

Solid waste consists of garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations and from community activities. DEQ is designated as the state agency responsible for regulating most solid waste management facilities in Idaho, including landfills, incinerators, transfer stations, processing facilities, and wood or mill yard debris facilities. Learn more.

Storage Tanks in Idaho

Storage tanks are used to store petroleum or certain other hazardous liquids. Idaho has about 3,500 regulated underground storage tanks (USTs); there are approximately 595,000 nationwide. Leaking USTs can pose a serious environmental threat if the stored petroleum or other hazardous substance seeps into the soil and contaminates ground water, which is the source of most of Idaho's drinking water. Learn more.

Recycling in Idaho

Recycling is the process of transforming waste materials into usable resources. It is preferable to treatment and disposal because it helps conserve energy and reduce waste. Recycling, like garbage collection in Idaho, is an optional service provided at the discretion of local governments or by private recycling companies. Although the state has no mandated waste diversion goal, pollution prevention and recycling are supported and encouraged through public education and outreach activities conducted by DEQ. Learn more.

Waste Remediation Activities

Waste remediation is a process in which contaminants are removed or neutralized so that they cannot cause harm. It may entail actively removing the waste, which is generally preferable, or isolating or containing the waste on site because it too costly or impractical to remove. Learn more.

Brownfields in Idaho

Brownfields are vacant or underutilized properties where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. Brownfieldsrevitalization is a process in which contamination at brownfields sites is addressed so that the sites can be redeveloped. Revitalization of brownfields properties can have both environmental and economic benefits for the sites and the communities in which they are located. Learn more.